US to expand fingerprinting & photo programme

Hi,

From CNN;

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/04/0 ... index.html

Looks like from 30th sept (approx), VWP pax ( inc UK) will be photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival at the US.

At least we will not have to go through the visa application programme (yet)

Regards

TBS

TBS

Also now on Auntie Beeb's site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3595221.stm

Cheers

quote:Originally posted by The_Banking_Scot
At least we will not have to go through the visa application programme (yet)

I guess not, but I don't think that'll be too far away. The queues at Immigration are going to be fun I guess *sigh*

Apparently this will be a US-VISIT enrolment (hmm, do you get a card or something?). From http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/aug2005.htm:

Visa waiver travelers from all 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa. This new requirement comes into effect on October 26, 2004. Travelers with a valid U.S. visa will not be required to have machine-readable passports.

In addition, as of September 30, 2004, all VWP travelers arriving at a U.S. port of entry, will be required to enroll in US-VISIT, a program involving a digital photograph and fingerscans. In a related item, President Bush signed into law a one-year extension for the date countries are required to produce biometric passports in order to remain eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, delaying the requirement until October 2005.

Cheers

Michael

[Bazz]

Oh well, it had to happen I suppose. We will catch this nicely on our JFK trip on 8th Oct, hope they have it sorted by then as we are only in NYC for two days and I don't want to spend them in immigration! [:(]

quote:I guess not, but I don't think that'll be too far away.

I can't see them wanting everyone who currently travels on the VWP to have Visas. It'd result in them either losing lots of visitors (putting a siginificant dent in their airline industry as well as hotels and all the other bits of the economy that benefit from tourism) and/or having their embassies swamped by huge increases in visa applications (I beleive the requirment to interview everyone before granting a visa is already causing significant backlogs).

My guess is that the requirement for biometric info will continue to be delayed until the major VWP countries can fulfil it (UKPS is currently saying late 05 / early 06).

quote:Originally posted by HelenF
I can't see them wanting everyone who currently travels on the VWP to have Visas.

IMHO, that's not what they want at all - the requirements are firstly for machine-readable passports (from October 2004), followed by biometric passports (delayed til October 2005 - see above - and I agree with you that they'll need to continue to delay this requirement until the major VWP countries are sorted). If those requirements aren't met, then the traveller needs a visa - the only thing out of the traveller's control right now is the issuing of a biometric passport.

quote:It'd result in them either losing lots of visitors

I think this fingerprint/photo thing is already having an impact on visitors from non-VWP countries - it'll probably have an impact on VWP countries too when they start in September [V]

Cheers

Michael

We're on VS7 to LAX on 30 September so its looks like we'll be the guinea pigs[:(]

quote:Originally posted by Elwood
We're on VS7 to LAX on 30 September so its looks like we'll be the guinea pigs[:(]

Be sure to let us know how you get on then please

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

Without wishing to appear overly cynical where do the majority of non-business travellers who might be put off by needing to apply for a visa actually visit? And what is the overwhelming political makeup of that state? So why would TPTB mind if tourism died there?

quote:Originally posted by McCuth

Be sure to let us know how you get on then please

I'll certainly report back on the experience as soon as I can to confirm/allay people's worst fears.

They've been doing this for some other nationals for some time - I remember reading a while ago that Brazil had started photographing and fingerprinting all US citizens on arrival in retaliation - so presumably the immigration officers are familiar with the process but will not be used to applying it so many people.

Hi Decker

quote:Without wishing to appear overly cynical where do the majority of non-business travellers who might be put off by needing to apply for a visa actually visit? And what is the overwhelming political makeup of that state? So why would TPTB mind if tourism died there?

If we're thinking about the same state from an economic point of view it should be important to keep the tourist spend as the state is extremely poor. I would have thought the polictical pressure might have been the other way round - and George might owe Jeb a favour[:0];)

[buns]

As a Visa holder (and we won't go into why;)) I have been fingerprinted and photgraphed since Christmas.

A quick two fingers and a snap means that, apart from the first time when the Immigration chap was still getting used to the equipment, there has been no additional time at the Immigration desk for Mrs Buns and myself.

I am sure that that now the equipment is bedded well in thre will be little or no delay

buns

quote:A quick two fingers

And I always thought it paid to be polite to the Immigration people

[Bazz]

:D:D LOL

DEFINITELY -no apologies for shouting!

There was a Brazilian guy who got arrested for showing an impolite digit while being photographed. I think this is why Brazil retailiated.

CS,

Just for the record it was a US flight crew capt who gave the 1 digit wave on arrival to Brazil in March when he was being photographed. The entire crew were arrested and held.

[Decker]

Pat

My take was that state wouldn't vote for the incumbent unless the ballot were carefully rigged so by using third party firms to drop non felons from the lists and to use dodgy voting machines in key areas.....

quote:Originally posted by Decker
Pat

My take was that state wouldn't vote for the incumbent unless the ballot were carefully rigged so by using third party firms to drop non felons from the lists and to use dodgy voting machines in key areas.....

Well D, the alternative "Donkey" candidate could always shoot himself and claim a purple heart to get votes [}:)][}:)]

quote:Originally posted by buns4vs
As a Visa holder (and we won't go into why;)) I have been fingerprinted and photgraphed since Christmas.

Strange, when I have used my Visa this year, I have never been fingerprinted nor photographed!

cheers
GO

I too have held a work visa for 2 years now and since Christmas I've been finger printed and photographed each time I've entered, regardless of my country of origin.

BOS is renouned for only letting one international flight through customs at any one time so I've literally landed and sat on at the gate for up to an hour.

I must say that except for their first attempt, in Jan this year, they are really fast. I do have trouble still with answers to their questions... for example on a work visa the question 'why are you coming to the US' always results in 'because I live here' from me which never makes them smile

I doubt it will affect tourism and as much is the US is much maligned at the moment it's not a bad place to live and visit. You just don't listen to politics and try you're best to avoid the retarded television shows and endless adverts!

I'd rather have people finger printed if it makes those who have something to hide fail to get access to the US.

JC